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Classic fare: the best summer camp movies

summer camp movies

Bob Thompson

Published: July 14, 2014 - 10:10 AM

Updated: July 17, 2014 - 4:54 PM

With the smell of sunscreen and bug repellent in the air, summer camp is the happening nostalgic thing. To honour the season, and the memories, I present my top 5 summer camp movies that may or may not be for kids.

The Parent Trap (1998)

Before Lindsay Lohan was the punchline to a joke, she was a blossoming young talent underscored by her dual performances as English and American identical-twin sisters raised separately but inadvertently sent to the same summer camp. Their subsequent scheme to reunite their divorced parents is endearing and fun and far superior to the original Haley Mills fluff.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

During a Wes Anderson movie, you’re never sure whether he’s having fun making fun of his subject matter. In this case, Camp Ivanhoe, circa 1965 New England, is the mocking backdrop for two young lovers at odds with the grown-ups around them. An impressive cast of Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand and Bill Murray are in on the running joke with generally favourable results.

The Way Way Back (2013)

On summer vacation, an introverted kid (Liam James) hides out from dysfunctional adults at a slip-n-slide water park staffed by misfits who end up bringing him out of his shell. The Nat Faxon-Jim Rash comedy ensemble is first-rate highlighted by the always odd Sam Rockwell. Allison Janney and Toni Collette have their moments, too. And so does Steve Carell in an against-type role as a nasty self-involved jerk.

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Counsellors settle scores on the last day of camp during the summer of 1981. Some of the raunchy antics might be too raw for the younger crowd but the vignettes feature some well-known actors who went on to higher-profile TV and movie vehicles. Look for Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, David Hyde Pierce, Paul Rudd, Christopher Meloni, Molly Shannon and Elizabeth Banks, having way too much fun.

Meatballs (1979)

Bill Murray is Tripper. No kidding. Tripper is a little off which is the perfect Murray persona; the smarter-than-you-realize guy who always seems to do the wrong thing and make it right. In this case, Camp Director Tripper befriends a shy new arrival who can’t fit in at Camp North Star. Some of the comedy moments are strained but Murray holds the movie together long enough for some decent laughs presented expertly by director Ivan Reitman, warming up for his future as the Stripes’ and Ghostbusters’ filmmaker.